We’re unhappy to report that legendary jazz-funk pioneer Roy Ayers has handed away on the age of 84.
Ayers’ household confirmed to Selection that the vibraphonist, composer, and producer died Tuesday, March 4, following a prolonged sickness.
“It’s with nice unhappiness that the household of legendary vibraphonist, composer, and producer Roy Ayers announce his passing which occurred on March 4, 2025 in New York Metropolis after an extended sickness,” they mentioned, describing him as “extremely influential and wanted as a music collaborator.”
Born to a musical household on September 10, 1940, in South Central Los Angeles, Ayers started his profession as a bebop sideman within the Nineteen Sixties earlier than forming his personal band, Roy Ayers Ubiquity, within the early Seventies.
In 1973, Ayers composed and carried out the soundtrack to the basic blaxploitation flick Coffy, starring Pam Grier. That very same 12 months, he had a task within the sci-fi flick Idaho Switch. Later within the decade, Ayers transitioned from jazz-funk to R&B with the 1975 album Mystic Voyage.
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Roy Ayers Ubiquity’s most notable hit got here in 1976 with the title observe to the band’s seventh album, Everyone Loves the Sunshine. Named as considered one of Pitchfork’s “200 Finest Songs of the Seventies,” the observe has been lined and sampled by artists reminiscent of D’Angelo, Mary J. Blige, Robert Glasper, and extra.
Ayers leaves behind his spouse, Argerie, and their kids, Mtume and Ayana.